The PM told his guest that Việt Nam regards the European Union (EU) as one of its most important partners and wants to step up co-operation with it, especially with the two sides’ trade and investment ties growing.

He stated that the upcoming signing of the EVFTA will be a crucial milestone, lifting the two sides’ relations to new heights, as the agreement is expected to benefit businesses and people.

Việt Nam always listens to European businesses, the PM affirmed, expressing his thanks to the EU for its efforts to push for the signing of the agreement and asking Lange to do more for the signing to take place soon.

He asserted that Việt Nam has given top priority to screening its legal system in service of the signing and ratification of the deal, reflected in the co-operation between its negotiators, ministries and sectors with the EU.

Lange stated his willingness to support Việt Nam in trade issues, saying that the EU is making efforts to complete the EVFTA before the summer of 2018, and he supports the agreement being signed soon.

He expressed his hope that the two sides would finalise the EVFTA in the spring of 2018 and believed that with a good partnership, both sides would overcome all hurdles and ratify the agreement in 2018. — VNS